GET WIND OF THIS – Lillia Frantin of the Cape Cod Downwinders, a group demanding the shutdown of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, speaks about its impact on groundwater quality at a gathering of the Silent Spring Institute May 15.

Last week the Silent Spring Institute celebrated 20 years of research, activism and insight regarding the quality of groundwater on Cape Cod and its impact on the incidences of cancer here.

For those unaware, Massachusetts is among the states with the highest incidences of breast cancer, and Cape Cod has the highest number of breast cancer diagnoses in the state. One in eight women will be diagnosed in her lifetime with the illness.

For 20 years Silent Spring, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, both spearheaded by legendary Cape activist Ann Maguire, has worked not only to better understand breast cancer, but also to figure out why Cape Cod is such a hotbed of illness.

During the celebratory event, which featured a panel discussion and commemorative awards, several of which were presented to Maguire, Cheryl Osimo, outreach coordinator for the MBCC and Silent Spring, noted that state funding in support of both organizations had been drastically reduced.

While this might not seem like such a big deal, consider, if you will, that since its inception, Silent Spring has been at the forefront of discovering powerful connections between groundwater contaminants and breast cancer diagnoses. Their research has led to the discoveries that chemicals used on crops in the past (DDT) can remain in the groundwater, and even a person’s home, long after their use has ceased. Their research proved that certain byproducts of human waste, such as antibiotics, aren’t filtered out by modern treatment facilities or septic systems.

Such research is instrumental in the efforts not only to clean up our drinking water, but also in eradicating breast cancer, which affects women and men.

If you feel strongly about your health, or the health of those you love, it’s time to write to your local representatives and not only request but also demand that Silent Spring be given the funding it deserves. After all, what’s the point of raising a glass in celebration if you can’t safely drink it?

PLEADING FOR HELP – Cheryl
Osimo, outreach coordinator for
the Massachusetts Breast Cancer
Coalition and Silent Spring, urges
attendees at Silent Spring’s 20th
anniversary celebration to write
their representatives and demand
more funding for the institute.